Becoming a welder in Mountain Home, ID, typically begins with a technical school program or apprenticeship, which combines hands-on experience with classroom learning, allowing individuals to earn while they learn. Apprenticeships last about 6 to 18 months, requiring many hours of training under licensed professionals. The American Welding Society projects a significant demand for 320,500 new welding professionals by 2029, with about 80,000 positions requiring annual fulfillment between 2025 and 2029. Apprentices earn an average of $50 per hour in Mountain Home, with an annual overtime average of $2,600. Trade schools, unions, and platforms like AWS help aspiring welders find apprenticeship opportunities, leading to a career with strong earning potential—often exceeding $80,000 annually for experienced professionals.
